CHARM OF YESTERYEAR

THE SALVATION ARMY • AUSTR ALIA EASTERN TERRITORY • JULY 2015 • VOLUME 17 • ISSUE 3

CHARM OF YESTERyear COUNTRY HOSPITALITY IN COWRA

FROM the WINGS MOONYAH WOMEN WEAVE HOPE INTO TAPESTRY

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he new women’s accommodation wing at the Brisbane Recovery Services Centre (Moonyah) opens onto a peaceful view of bushland, with Queensland’s Mount Coot-tha reaching gently towards the sky in the background.

These natural surroundings of Moonyah and its vision of healing have inspired a tapestry that dramatically depicts the process of hope through faith in God. “We wanted to create something that shows hope and healing to those struggling with addiction,” said Major Chris Tamsett, Moonyah Manager (pictured far right, with tapestry creator, Lee). “It’s based on the vision from Mark 5:21-43, Matthew 9:18-26 and Luke 8:40-56.”

Two Moonyah program participants, Lee and Min, with case manager Glenys, designed and created the tapestry, using all natural materials and silk fibre.

“We collaborated on what we wanted to portray and the story we wanted to tell,” said Lee. “We prayed for God to lead it as we sewed and embroidered.

“The bottom half of the tapestry is covered in dark trees, showing lifelessness. The top half is light, bright and colourful, showing the way to recovery through faith in Jesus.

“The organic materials show that anything Godgiven and natural can be shaped into many things.

“We wanted to show that we are beloved children of Christ.”

Colourful embroidered flowers emerge from trees, fabric is designed to show increasing brightness, and a gold thread is visible throughout the tapestry.

“The thread shows that we are becoming God’s princesses,” said Lee. “We can see the princess in both the picture, and in ourselves.

“The tapestry signifies hope. God will work in us as women to show us who we have the potential to be, especially after we have lost who we are in addiction.

“With God, all things are possible.”

“...THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE TAPESTRY IS COVERED IN DARK TREES, SHOWING LIFELESSNESS. THE TOP HALF IS LIGHT, BRIGHT AND COLOURFUL, SHOWING THE WAY TO RECOVERY THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS "

Words Simone Worthing

CREATIVE The Salvation Army | WILLIAM BOOTH Founder INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 101 Queen Victoria Street London EC4P 4EP AUSTRALIA EASTERN TERRITORY 140 Elizabeth Street Sydney NSW 2000 | JAMES CONDON Commissioner, Territorial Commander BRUCE HARMER Major, Territorial Communications and Public Relations Secretary EDITOR Anne Halliday | GRAPHIC DESIGN Kem Pobjie and Cristina Baron| COVER PHOTO Bec Bennett CREATIVE is a publication of the Communications Department EDITORIAL AND CORRESPONDENCE PO Box A435 Sydney South NSW 1235 PHONE (02) 9266 9690 | EMAIL eastern.editorial@aue.salvationarmy.org Published for The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory by Commissioner James Condon Printed by SOS Print + Media Group, 65 Burrows Road, Alexandria NSW 2015, Australia All materials are copyright of The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory and cannot be reproduced without permission

ABOVE: Nostalgic pastimes a door to ministry for Captains Cathryn and Mark Williamson.

COVER

FEATURES

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WILLIAMSONS' COUNTRY LIFE

BOOTH'S VISION FOR THE LOST RE-IMAGINED

Q&A WITH THE ISB'S STEPHEN COBB

REGULARS 2 FROM THE WINGS 15 THE CUTTING EDGE

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BIG picture

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Hospitality begins at home for Cathryn and Mark, who enjoy spending time creating delicious food in their kitchen.

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COOKING UP A STORM IN COWRA CAPTAINS MARK AND CATHRYN WILLIAMSON SHARE A PASSION FOR MINISTERING TO OTHERS THROUGH THEIR LOVE OF BAKING Words Esther Pinn / Photos Bec Bennett

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ABOVE: Cooking and baking is a central part of the Williamsons' ministry life.

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t is safe to say that Captains Mark and Cathryn Williamson enjoy the nostalgic side of country life.

The couple’s home in Cowra, where they are Salvation Army corps officers, is adorned with many awards from country baking competitions. And the 1925 Model T Ford parked on their property gives away their interest in all things yesteryear.

But good old-fashioned country cooking is their passion, an interest they both admit to having since childhood. Cathryn speaks fondly of a mix-master that was passed down from her mother. Similarly, Mark cherishes memories of cooking with his grandmother.

“It was always a treat to spend time in the kitchen with my grandma. My mother wasn’t much of a baker so in my high school years it was me who kept our family supplied with cakes and biscuits,” Mark laughs.

Prior to getting married in November 2009, Cathryn spent many of her days entering rural cooking shows.

While Mark entered a regional show in his teenage years, it wasn’t until he started dating Cathryn that competitive cooking became a serious hobby. Since then, it’s an interest they’ve shared.

Between them, the Williamsons have won many awards at regional cooking shows, including Cathryn’s first place for her marble cake and second for a slice at this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show. And Mark has recently been accredited as a cookery judge for the Country Women’s Association (CWA).

Cathryn says baking is a way for her to relax and recharge. While Mark echoes this sentiment, he also revels in cruising around town in the Model T he purchased 12 months ago, and being part of the Cowra Antique Car Club.

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When the Williamsons received their appointment change to Cowra, one of the first agenda items on Mark’s relocation list was to research local Cowra car clubs.

Mark has joined two car clubs – Cowra Antique Car Club and Midwest Historic Motor Club. While Mark was eager to be part of car enthusiast communities, his main reason for joining Cowra’s local car clubs was to connect with people in his local community. For Mark, he sees his whole life to be a ministry opportunity and that includes his passion for Model T Fords.

“Being a Salvation Army officer isn’t just a job. It’s just not something that I do, it’s who I am,” he explains. "If you've got a common interest with someone, it opens up conversation.”

But it’s not just fellow club members Mark connects with through his Model T Ford. Mark says endless connection opportunities have evolved from driving his Model T Ford throughout the streets of Cowra.

“I’ll pull up at the service station to full up the fuel and I’ll always get a couple of people come and have a yarn to me about the car.

“Whether it be a teenager who thinks the car is cool, or a mother who points the car out of a young child … or whether it’s an old guy who remembers his father or grandfather having a similar sort of car. It just connects with so many people.”

Mark’s interest in antique cars stems from his grandfather who was motor mechanic and restored a 1940 Ford Mercury. Prior to moving to Cowra, Mark was also part of a car club in Taree for six months.

Cookbook venture

Baking, is also more than a hobby for the couple. It’s a

LEFT: Mark's passion is his model T Ford, but his interest in cars dates back to is grandfather's restoration of a 1940 Ford Mercury.

ministry. Mark will often bake goodies for a grieving family or someone who is facing tough circumstances.

“I want my whole life lived out as a ministry and you know, God’s given us this skill, this ability, this interest in baking,” he says. “And there’s lots of ways we can use that. It can be a way of us showing love to others by baking something for them.”

When Cathryn entered the School For Officer Training to become a Salvation Army officer in 1998, hospitality was identified as one of her spiritual gifts.

Cathryn will often bake a slice for a Salvation Army home league meeting or Sunday service morning tea and will give a plate of mixed slices to Cowra Family Store volunteers to show her appreciation.

When Cathryn was the corps officer at Warwick about three years ago she ran a cooking class once a month for young mums.

“I realised that many young girls in Australia just don’t have the skills to be able to cook a healthy meal for their children,” she says.

Cathryn’s latest project, however, is a cookbook.

Motivated to use her baking skills for a greater cause, Cathryn began working on her cookbook of slices, Two Thumbs Up: A dozen dozen sensational slices in August last year.

The cookbook has 144 slice recipes, hence the book’s name, and nearly each recipe can be made from the same-sized baking tin.

Cathryn says she was eager to create a cookbook for the everyday baker. “A lot of people aren’t cooks or don’t cook a lot and don’t have a lot of tins,” she says.

“So you can buy one tin and make 141 of the slices.

And for some, you don’t even have to turn on the oven.”

“I WANT MY WHOLE LIFE LIVED OUT AS A MINISTRY AND YOU KNOW, GOD’S GIVEN US THIS SKILL, THIS ABILITY, THIS INTEREST IN BAKING ... AND THERE’S LOTS OF WAYS WE CAN USE THAT.”

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Heartfelt project

Many of the cookbook’s collection of recipes are hand-written and have been passed down from the Williamsons’ family members, while others are from the Army’s home league members.

Cathryn has taken these recipes and re-worked them for her cookbook. Some of her staple recipes include Chocolate Weet-Bix, Never-fail Fruit, Cherry and Pecan and Nanna’s Pink Icing Slice.

Two Thumbs Up: A dozen dozen sensational slices has been published by a printing company owned by Cathryn’s father.

Her father formated, printed and bound the cookbook at no cost, giving Cathryn the opportunity to donate all funds from the cookbook to a project close to her heart. Funds from her cookbook will go to the Salvos women project, “I will survive”, a program that teaches living skills to orphan girls in war-torn Ukraine.

Cathryn officially launched the book on 4 June at a Christian interdenominational lunch in Cowra. The book has already sold 550 copies and a second print run has been ordered to meet the demand, and will be available in September.

Two Thumbs Up: A dozen sensational slices can be purchased for $10 plus postage by contacting Major Cathryn Williamson via email, two.thumbs.up@hotmail.com.

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ABOVE: The Williamsons share a gift in hospitality and regularly minister over a cup of tea and freshly baked cakes and slices. RIGHT: Nanna’s Pink Icing Slice is one of the recipes featured in Cathryn’s cookbook.

NANNA’S PINK ICING SLICE BASE 1................

125g..........

2................

1................

packet malt biscuits, crushed butter or margarine, melted tablespoons sugar teaspoon vanilla

FILLING 395g.......... can sweetened condensed milk 2................ cups coconut ICING 1½ ............ cups icing sugar 1................ teaspoon margarine 2................ tablespoons hot water (approx.) pink food colouring

1. Line a 28cm x 18cm slice tin with baking paper. Preheat oven to 180°C. 2. In a medium bowl combine biscuits, sugar and vanilla.

3. Add melted butter and mix well.

4. Press into prepared tin. Cook for 5 minutes.

Remove from oven.

5. To make filling: Combine ingredients in a medium bowl. Spread filling evenly over cooked base. Return to oven and cook for another 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in tin.

6. To make icing: In a small bowl, combine icing sugar, margarine and enough water to make a smooth spreadable icing.

7. Add 1-2 drops of pink colouring and mix until combined. Spread icing evenly over cooled slice.

8. When icing has set, cut into squares to serve.

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Bringing the lost Back Into Vision Words Esther Pinn / Photo Ben Ward

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e-imagining William Booth’s 19th-century vision for the lost for a modern audience has been the focus of a new short film called Vision Of The Lost.

Ben Ward, Media Coordinator for the Territorial Mission and Resource Team – Corps, has been adapting General Booth’s writings for the project since September last year.

“We wanted to create a tool that would be versatile enough which can be used throughout the territory but also to go further if the greater Salvation Army wanted to pick it up and run with that,” explains Ben who is also the project’s creative director.

The 10-minute film depicts 17 contemporary characters – including a hipster, a successful corporate woman, a young artist and a farmer – sharing Booth’s message from the perspective of their 21st-century daily life.

“I wanted to paint a picture of human existence from all stages and all different walks of life with a strong perspective on Australia and our culture – both our city culture as well as our rural culture,” explains Ben. Inspired by an outdated American production of the same name, which has been used throughout corps within the Australia Eastern Territory for many years, Ben has replaced words and expressions that are no longer relevant to a modern audience.

In addition, while William Booth chose to focus on saving alcoholics, addicts or the poor in his writings, Ben says he has shifted the focus to include people from all situations.

“I think one of the key things we’ve brought into it is focusing on the sin of everyday life. All the characters, while sharing this vision of the lost, are caught up in their busy lives and that’s kind of something we want to show – that these people are the same as you. Rather than focusing on just the drunk that needs your help.”

Ben hopes the film will be a useful resource for the territory that Salvos can use to share the gospel.

“I really hope it does challenge people to look beyond their own concept of what Christianity is and to perhaps break down the walls of what’s stopping them connecting with people around them who need to hear the gospel.”

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Creative streak

Trained as a graphic designer, jazz pianist and vocalist, Ben says being a creative director and film director was not his comfort zone.

However, his past experiences in directing roles for musical productions, including a show that was selected runner-up at the Sydney Fringe Festival seven years ago, gave him the confidence to produce a short film.

“If I’m not doing something creative, I tend to get a bit frustrated,” he says. “In my job I get to play the different roles in production – the director, the marketer, the concept designer – there’s a lot of scope there for me to play around with.”

Vision Of The Lost was filmed by the mission team and is being released as an Army resource this month.

Go to toolkit.salvos.org.au/missionteam to watch Vision Of The Lost. A DVD version of the short film will also be mailed out to corps across the territory.

ABOVE: Captain Matthew Moore enjoys a change of pace as he takes on the role of a hipster in the Vision of the Lost film project. BELOW: Ben Ward, the film's creative director.

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hen auditions to play the character of Sean, a hipster in the film,were offered, Captain Matthew Moore saw the opportunity to fulfil what he thought was a whimsical pipe dream. But given that he already had some of the trademark symbols needed for the role – long-hair, a beard and his wardrobe is filled with non-mainstream fashion – he thought he might be in with a chance.

Matt has always had an interest in film, television and acting and he says the whole process from applying, the audition and filmimg has been fun.

“This was one of those opportunities to engage with one of those hobbies of mine and do it in my capacity as a Salvation Army officer,” he says.

In May, he travelled up from Wollongong to Canopy Cafe in the heart of Sydney to film his part. While this film project was a one-off, Matt would love to be involved with acting in the future. In the meantime, he produces a youtube blog featuring short videos that create stories about the everyday moments of life. Go to youtu.be/H9BQttDKHfY to view his blog.

Matt and his wife Emma are the officers at Tarrawanna Corps in Wollongong.

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STEPHEN COBB HAS AN ICONIC BRASS BANDING PEDIGREE AND AN ENVIABLE MUSICAL REPUTATION. AT 25, STEPHEN WAS ALREADY AN ACCOMPLISHED CORNET PLAYER WHEN HE WAS APPOINTED AS HENDON BANDMASTER. HE WAS PRINCIPAL CORNET PLAYER FOR THE INTERNATIONAL STAFF BAND, ARGUABLY THE SALVATION ARMY’S MOST ELITE BRASS BAND, AND IN 1994, HE BECAME ITS FIRST NONOFFICER BANDMASTER. IN 2001, HE WAS APPOINTED FULL-TIME TERRITORIAL MUSIC DIRECTOR IN THE UK, LEADING WITH INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE. BUT AS ANNE HALLIDAY DISCOVERED DURING A RECENT INTERVIEW, STEPHEN COBB’S AMBITION AND DETERMINATION ARE NOT DRIVEN BY EGO BUT

BY A PASSIONATE DESIRE TO SEE THE SALVATION ARMY’S MUSIC MINISTRY FULFIL ITS CALLING.

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WITH STEPHEN COBB BANDMASTER, INTERNATIONAL STAFF BAND

You grew up in more than just a “banding” family. When did you become aware of the "pedigree" that you possess?

I was aware that my grandfather had been a Salvation Army bandmaster but from an early age I knew that my dad was a bit of a personality in the Salvation Army. My mum would take my brother and myself to see the International Staff Band in London so we would go to Regent Hall and the Royal Albert Hall and I would see my dad playing cornet in the front and standing up and doing solos and I would watch how people would react to his playing.

In what ways has that heritage been a blessing or challenge in your musical life?

As a player, it became a challenge; for two reasons, really. One, people’s expectations were very high because my dad was Roland Cobb and two; I simply wasn’t as good as him. My dad is a great player. I was perhaps a very good player but I wasn’t a great player. As a conductor, I found it less challenging. For whatever reason I felt able to be myself in a way I never felt I could as a player. I think, ultimately, the conclusion I’ve come to, is that what I do best is conducting. I think I am a better conductor than I am a cornet player.

What role did your dad play in your music development?

My dad was a great performer. The world in which my dad lived, well, it tended to be about him. He wasn’t a bad dad, but he didn’t have a particularly significant role in teaching me to play. And when I played in his band, he was very tough on me. I certainly heard him practice as home and assimilated lots of his stylistic ideas, but we didn’t sit over the meal table talking about cornet playing. We had a good father-son relationship, and now he’s one of my biggest supporters and encouragers.

What did it mean for you to take over Hendon Band from him?

I was 25 when I was asked to take over the band

at Hendon, but all I wanted to do at that time was to play the cornet properly. My dad had retired from the band and his successor was doing a good job, but his circumstances changed. Overnight I was offered the job. Now, I don’t think there was anyone in the band who thought I could do it, but there was nobody else to do it! I am not being self-deprecating.

There really was no one else and I really didn’t want to do it. So for me, it wasn’t my destiny. It wasn’t like “I am a Cobb so I better do the band”. I was doing it because I felt I had to. With hindsight I am really glad I did and I believe God was in that.

When did the desire to conduct overtake the desire to play?

I probably need to say that it took me a long time to let go of the desire to play the cornet really well. But I think after six or seven years of being bandmaster at Hendon, I began to understand that this job came naturally to me; and crucially, in the Salvation Army context, even though I was young, I seemed to be able to take people on the journey with me. There was one occasion with Hendon band when I came away from the concert and I thought, “I really could do this job”. I rarely had that sense as a cornet player. Everything was a battle. And I would hate for anybody to feel that there is any arrogance in this comment, but there needs to be an inner sense (as a conductor) that you can do that job in order to get the group to come with you.

Do you still play?

Yes, my wife can’t for the life of her understand why I do it because I have nowhere to play. But I didn’t play for many years. I was at a music school and there was a cornet on the coffee table. I could not

resist picking it up and playing the valves and in that moment I thought, “just play it”, so then I started to play again. I think it is important to remember what it is like as a musician to have a cornet on your face and not be sure where the next note is coming from – even though you could do it yesterday. I think as a conductor it is very easy to forget the challenges of being a brass player. I actually enjoy the process of practicing. But there are no aspirational aspects to playing for me. I simply want to be a better musician, I want to be a better conductor; a better Salvation Army conductor.

How would you describe your journey of faith?

I can’t claim any blinding light or epiphany moment. I made a decision to become a junior solider and found my way into senior soldiership. I don’t doubt that it was genuine, but part of it was to belong and part of that was to be in the band.

My first authentic decision was made at music school at Tylney Hall. (Major) Leslie Condon was leading and I made a decision that I really wanted to be a follower of Jesus Christ. There have been plenty of peaks and troughs, but about twenty years ago now, (Colonel) Robert Redhead and (Lt-Colonel) Trevor Davis had a significant influence on me in my journey of faith.

What corner did your faith turn in that journey?

I think it was at that point with my head and my heart I understood what music ministry should be all about. That is not to say I was shallow, but the more significant possibilities that existed to use music to bring people into a relationship with God became a more compelling reason and purpose for doing what I did. It’s amazing how God has worked in those subsequent years. I have made no plans at all yet found myself appointed as conductor of the staff C R E AT I V E

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LEFT: The ISB marching during its 120th anniversary celebrations in 2011. BELOW: Stephen is still excited by the challenges of conducting.

enjoy the role. I’ve not enjoyed it in the moment as much as I enjoy it now.

Early on, you worry about personnel – is he or she going to stay? Actually, you can’t worry. You don’t know what the next few weeks or months will bring so you just have to live with that.

Does brass banding in the Salvation Army have a future?

In the Salvation Army of the 21st century, music is arguably one of our greatest missional opportunities. I sense over here (in the UK) that we might be beginning to understand that to be the case. I am not saying it’s the only thing. But I think music is one of our great opportunities. In the past we have been very protectionist of it.

Now we realise there may be great merit in opening ourselves to new opportunities – getting into the schools, bringing The Salvation Army into a multi-faith society, bringing who and what we are, into more community-based programs.

band; and 15 years ago, began working fulltime for the Salvation Army. I have no doubt God has been in that journey.

said I should accept. It was announced at band practice that night.

That’s how I came to be bandmaster.

Was leading the ISB a goal you set your sights on?

At no point have I desired to be the ISB bandmaster or the Territorial Music Director. Indeed, until I was appointed, the conductor of the ISB has always been an officer, so I never thought that would be an opportunity that would come my way. So I am able to say with absolute authenticity that I never for a second thought I would be the conductor the staff band, and just feel that God has been in all of this.

I was deputy bandmaster, but I had decided that it was time for me to finish with the ISB. Robert Redhead needed to go back to North America and met with me, saying his recommendation would be that I would succeed him.

I completely dismissed the idea because I couldn’t imagine that happening.

In April the Territorial Commander sent for me and asked me if I would be bandmaster of the ISB. I was genuinely shocked. I said I needed to call my wife and ask her as she was expecting me to finish with the band. I asked him when did he need to know? He said, “I have a meeting at 3pm today and I would like to tell cabinet by then.” So I phoned Elaine and she was fantastic and

What were your emotions when you took the first rehearsal?

It was frightening. Frankly, I am still in awe of the band. Not the current membership although I have great respect for them. But I am still completely in awe of the band.

The early days were frightening. I took over in the June and I remember going on holiday in the August with my wife and two young kids and I would wake during the night worrying about it. And every Wednesday there is still that nervousness about going in and doing a decent rehearsal.

But it’s fair to say that it was exciting as well – the opportunity to create a group in the way that I wanted. It is easy to sit on the sidelines and pontificate. But here was my chance and it’s never easy. The privilege of conducting the ISB and individual players at this level is incredible. It’s a real challenge to ask, how can I make this better? But your aural powers, your critical faculties develop very quickly and you adjust. I’ve never lost that excitement.

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What do you wish you knew then, that you know now?

I think over the years I have learnt to relax a little more and I think I have learnt to

Many present or past bandsmen and women may long for those days when their own band was at its height. What is your message to them and their place in the army and their corps now?

It’s a huge challenge for us really. Clearly we are part of a different Salvation Army.

There’s good and bad in all of that. I can look back from a UK perspective and lament that when I grew up there was a really accomplished corps band once, but now there’s not even a corps there!

The fact is, we are where we are. The fact is, we have an extraordinary heritage in The Salvation Army. I can’t walk away from it. I still believe God has a place for music in The Salvation Army. If I look at the size of our territory numerically and I look at the gifts that we still have, our riches are disproportionate to our numbers and I have to believe that God still has a plan for music within The Salvation Army. We still have young people that want to be in brass bands in the Army. For me the idea that bands don’t have a place in the Army is a complete nonsense.

As someone who is deeply involved in their corps, we still have kids coming through Hendon who want to do the band thing. If we want music, we can’t sit in our armchair and complain that it is not like it used to be. We have to turn up. We have to commit and we have to disciple our young people.

The ISB will be touring Australia in October.

For more information visit: salvationarmy.org.au/ISBtour

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EMILY'S VISION TO MENTOR THE NEXT GENERATION

Emily Simpson has her eyes on the future. It’s a future in which this generation’s primary school-aged children have grown into devoted followers of Jesus, impacting their neighbourhood, their city and maybe even the whole world.

A soldier at Carindale Corps, on Brisbane’s southside, Emily was challenged five years ago by the image of mentoring as depicted by the apostle Paul and his younger leader Timothy in the New Testament.

“God put on my heart to mentor the next generation,” says Emily, a primaryschool teacher.

This vision led her to start Mingling n Mentoring (MnM) in 2011, reaching into their local neighbourhood and schools.

“We took Acts 1:8 and rewrote it for our situation,” explains Emily.

“We changed the words to reflect our situation so it reads ‘you will be my witnesses in Mansfield, Carindale, Brisbane and to the ends of the earth’.”

MnMs, which has about 20 children regularly involved, combines creativity, connection and discipleship.

In many ways it is a modern “Sunday School” for a new generation.

“A couple of girls (not previously connected with The Salvation Army) that came through the program now come to youth group and youth services but their lives are very sports-related and so it’s tricky for them to come to a Sunday morning meeting.

"MnMs is a way we can be relevant and connect with our community,” says Emily.

The children come after school and enjoy fun activities, as well as afternoon tea.

A small-group time with a focus on bible stories and study is followed by electives including craft, dance, cooking, drama, fitness and games.

After five years, the program has eight emerging junior leaders and a consistent and growing group of children who are being impacted.

Of the 16 families connected to the program, 10 are from the community.

“It’s about empowering our kids and seeing young people and their families come to Christ through that,” says Emily.

“I have a friend in Africa and we did a skype with her about her experiences and one of the kids went home and had a stall in her street to raise money to help others.

"Her parents are seeing God working through her life and impacting her actions.”

COMBINED BANDS EVENT VEHICLE FOR BLESSING Four brass bands performed at the inaugural “Bands Together” event at Parramatta Corps on 23-24 May. Blacktown City Corps, Sydney Veterans Band, Parramatta Citadel Band and Parramatta City Brass performed a variety of compositions and arrangements from guest conductors, including Brisbane City Temple bandmaster Barrie Gott and Camberwell Corps bandsman Ian Jones, across the weekend.

“The event proved that brass band music still has a place in The Salvation Army,” said event organiser and Parramatta bandsman Jim Muir. “[Brass music] attracts people within the Army as well as externally and can be used as a vehicle to bless and convict people of the gospel.”

The weekend's musical events included a Saturday evening concert followed by performances at the corps' Sunday morning service and a Sunday afternoon concert.

“Bands Together” saw a number of vocal brass soloists along

with massed band items over the weekend. Bandsman Jones conducted a mass band performance of Montreal Citadel which resulted in congregational participation.

Bandmaster Gott conducted his own composition, Collaroy, with the massed band, and also led Parramatta City Band in Swingtime Religion. This piece also inspired congregational singing in the chorus.

Bandmaster Jones’ arrangement of The Prayer was played

by Blacktown Citadel Band and accompanied by vocal soloist Madeleine Muir from Blacktown Corps.

The Parramatta Band Male Voice Party, under the leadership of Bandsman Muir, added a further dimension to the weekend's items by their sensitive rendition of What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

Forty items were presented over the course of the weekend, including a memorable duet of All That I Am by Bandmaster Gott, playing the cornet, and Bandsman Jones on euphonium.

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CARINDALE ON SONG WITH VOCAL PRAISE

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arindale Corps’ inaugural “Vocal Praise” concert on 2 May attracted more than 200 people. Three songster groups – Brisbane City Temple, Bundamba Corps and Carindale’s songster group, Harmony in Song – combined for an afternoon of harmonic praise and worship.

“We [Carindale Corps Officer Major David Terracini and Jared Proellocks] spoke about having a time and place for people to show appreciation for our choral sections, and to allow them to express their praise for God, and love for singing, to a different set of faces outside their own congregations,” said Jared, South Queensland's Assistant Divisional Worship Arts Facilitator.

Brisbane City Temple opened the concert by performing a couple of classics, including Somebody Prayed For Me and

By His Hand. Songster Megan Hodge followed with a solo of Fear No Tomorrow, accompanied by the songster group.

Bundamba Songsters then sang gospel songs Were you There and Shall We Gather. Their last song, Be Still, was accompanied by a visual display of creation images and scripture passages.

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South Queensland Division’s Creative Ministry Worship Facilitators, Sheldon (pictured below right) and Louise Mathieson, were guest soloists and the highlight of the afternoon concert.

They brought the room to silence with a performance of the ballad, The Prayer, and also sung an arrangement of Christ is All in All. Harmony in Song, under the leadership of Tim Ivers, finished off the concert with a narrated journey through three songs – Sing to the King , At the Foot of the Cross and Mercy Tree.

The congregation then joined the songster group and sang Nothing but the Blood Can Save Me. Jared said the afternoon concert was a success and has plans for “Vocal Praise” to become an annual event.

“We want to keep encouraging those who take part in creative ministry sections across our division,” he said.

“Their leadership in worship is appreciated, and we want that to continue.

“Hopefully this afternoon can be a small part in encouraging life-transforming worship across The Salvation Army."

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BIG BAND WARMING UP FOR WARWICK FESTIVAL

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xcitement is in the air for fans of The Salvation Army South Queensland’s Revelation Big Band (pictured above). Since its debut at the Warwick Jumpers and Jazz Festival last year, the band has built a growing ministry.

Over the past year, Revelation Big Band, led by Sam Creamer from Carindale Corps, has been touring throughout Queensland, performing at various Salvation Army corps and centres. Now they are gearing up for their second performance at the 2015 Warwick Jumpers and Jazz Festival from 16-26 July.

Warwick Corps Officer Lieutenant Steve Spencer said they had received numerous calls and emails over recent months from people who are eager to plan holidays to see the band at this year’s festival.

Revelation Big Band will again participate in the “Stroll and Swing” program, which features dozens of musicians performing on the streets of Warwick for roaming crowds on the Saturday of the festival (25 July).

Alongside Revelation Big Band will be award-winning barbershop vocalists, Blindside Quartet, also performing for the second time.

Following “Stroll and Swing”, both bands will perform a repertoire of secular and Christian jazz numbers at “Sing and Swing at the Salvos” at Warwick Corps.

Lieut Spencer said the gold-coin donation concert last year attracted 160 people and was hoping for a similar crowd this year.

“We had people forgo $60 tickets to see another concert last year to pay $2 to come see our guys,” Lieut Spencer said.

The corps will also host a jazz workshop for Salvo musicians on the Friday evening (24 July) and Revelation Big Band will also peform at the Sunday morning meeting (26 July).

“It’s a community event and we’re part of a community. It’s a non-obtrusive way to make a connection – meeting people on their level, where they are at, what they’re comfortable with,” says Lieut Spencer.

“We’d love to see the kingdom of God being built –whether there’s numerical increases in the churches, whether it’s improvement in lifestyles for families, whether its enrichment from God and people were able to have a closer connection with him or seeing lives transformed.”

– Esther Pinn

BRISBANE CITY HIT RIGHT NOTE WITH VOCAL WORKSHOP Brisbane City Temple Corps hosted a series of vocal workshops last month as part of their ongoing 130th anniversary celebrations.

Territorial Worship Arts Coordinator Chris Brindley teamed with special guests, the Melbourne Staff Songsters, to lead the workshops over the weekend of 6-7 June.

A highlight of the event was the participation of students from a nearby school that the corps has been building a relationship with through helping to develop their music program.

Chris and staff songster leader Merryn Steel gave instruction on various singing techniques, particularly focusing on breathing, posture and vocal warm-ups.

Workshop participants learned a number of songs, including

Jesus is the Way (James Morrison) and Happy (Pharrell Williams) which were performed at concerts on the Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon as part of a massed choir with the Melbourne Staff Songsters.

The Melbourne Staff Songsters also performed a selection of their own songs over the weekend.

“We always see our invitation to another corps as a privilege,” Merryn said. “We are always delighted that people want us to be there to help celebrate important events in their corps.”

As part of their anniversary celebrations, Brisbane City Temple recently hosted a concert starring Silvie Paladino and the Melbourne Staff Band. There are more creative events planned in the second half of the year.

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YOUTH CONFERENCES TO FIRE UP LEADERS

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alvation Army leaders will come away from this year’s Youth and Kids Ministry conferences equipped and refreshed for ministry.

Coordinator Shandri Brown (pictured above) says the discipleship-based conferences will be a time of rejuvenation for the Army’s many leaders who voluntarily give their time to ministry while juggling full-time jobs and family life.

Shandri is expecting 400 people to attend the two conferences. The first is from 29 July-2 August at The Collaroy Centre in Sydney, and the second from 7-9 August at Queensland Conference and Camping Centre at Brookfield in Brisbane’s west.

Some of the speakers lined up for main sessions and small groups include Dustan Bell (Townsville Calvary Christian Church campus pastor), Margaret Spicer (Crossway Baptist Church pastor in Melbourne), Terry Williams (Children’s Ministry Specialist based in Brisbane) and Letitia Shelton (Founder of City Women Toowoomba).

For the first time, small-group sessions will be divided into workshops, masterclasses and tutorials.

This year the small-group sessions will each have different teaching styles and will cover all age groups, from early childhood to young adults.

“We’re really trying to reach people though a multitude of expressions of training with different learning styles throughout the conference,” Shandri said.

Masterclasses will take the form of a seminar, tutorials will be more practical and allow the delegates

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to ask the speakers questions, and workshops will be a mix of tutorials and masterclasses.

“Some people love to sit there in a masterclasses and listen to a brilliant seminar-style presentation.

Some want a nuts-and-bolts tutorial where they can bring all their questions to the table and pick the brains of experts, and basically have it a lot more practical,” Shandri said.

Small-group sessions on personal leadership development have been introduced this year. Also, due to a growing need for leadership training in young-adults ministry, the amount of young adultspecific small-group sessions has been doubled.

Throughout both weekends, Shandri hopes delegates will find opportunities to network.

“We want them to go away feeling, ‘I’m not alone in this’ as they connect with people in like-circumstances.

People in rural ministry need to connect with other people in rural ministry. My hope is that people, while sitting at the lunch table, will share stories and build relationships.”

Connect groups will also be held and Shandri hopes delegates will use these times to network. Individuals from the same region will be placed in the same group to create further opportunities for networking.

The cost for a Youth and Kids Ministry Conference is $150 for Salvation Army delegates, and $200 for non-Salvation Army delegates. Childcare is also offered at both conferences.

Go to salvos.org.au/ykm to register.

Esther Pinn